New BP owner wanting to make sure I'm doing the right things...

[theoremofgoats]

Hi!

So I just got my first baby ball python from my local reptile store yesterday (Twin Cities Reptiles, fantastic place in MN). I've had a corn snake for the past five years, so I'm not new to reptiles, but I did lots of research before getting my ball python and I'd like to see if people can give me some feed back on what I've got...

She's in a 30-gallon tank and is actually very curious-which I'm flattered to see because my friends have some balls who just lie there like...well, balls. Mine likes burrowing under the substrate and getting it into her water dishes. When I went to clean it out this morning, she didn't even ball up when I picked her up to move her. She can be a little nippy-which I absolutely expected-but otherwise we're talking about a very calm snake. She's in a glass aquarium, which is covered with tons of plants around the sides, and tin foil on most of the screen to keep in humidity. I also have lots of moss on the substrate and the humidity's been keeping at about 60%.

I'm anticipating the biggest difference between the ball and my corn snake will be the feeding. I know that balls are very pick eaters, and my corn snake would probably take White Castle if I gave it to him. When should I try feeding my ball for the first time? Would it help to wait a few days, a week, or longer? I should also mention that except from cleaning things out, I'm leaving her alone for the most part for now.

[SKO]

Depends on the snake really. I handled my girl the first day I got her and fed her the very next day and she's been eating like a monster ever since. Just offer some food and if he takes it he takes if not wait a few days to a week. How old is the snake?

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[theoremofgoats]

She's almost three months old, so still very much a baby.

Also, something else I noticed: she RARELY goes over to the "hot" side, is that normal? I have a heat lamp on one side and UTHs on both sides since I live in Minnesota and it gets really cold, haha. My house is just above 60 degrees right now, so I just wanted to make sure she stays warm..

[SKO]

First, is the UTH on a thermostat? What is the temp of the hot side and how are you measuring it?

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[Sauzo]

UTH only heats the floor, it does very little to nothing for ambient temps. And yes make sure the UTHs, both of them are controlled by a T-stat and remember to take the temp readings from the glass under the substrate in case your ball burrows down or pushes the substrate aside.

As for feeding, my little pied girl took a rat after 2 days and since then till now, she pretty much eats anything and gets fed every 3-4 days but now I'm pushing her out to 1 week as she went from 102g to 386g in about 2 months.

Each snake has their own likings. My girl never uses her cold side except to poop on or sometimes play around in but come day time or sleep time, she always goes back to her hot side hide.

[Tigerhawk]

Each snake is different. I've had them feed the day after I got them. Some need a week or so to settle in before they would eat. Just let your snake tell you what it likes, if that makes sense.

[theoremofgoats]

Nope, no thermostat yet-it's been ordered and should arrive soon. They were out the day I purchased my snake, and so was the other store near my house. I'm currently using dial thermometer and hygrometer, but I've ordered an AcuRite digital combination one which will arrive tomorrow. Right now, temps are in the high 80s on the hot side, but the cool side only feels a bit warmer than room temperature...maybe I should unplug the UTH on the hot side for now to see if it works better? My corn snake likes the hot side better as well in the other enclosure, so I find it odd that the ball seems to prefer the cooler side...

[SKO]

Get a temp gun, it gives exact temps. The one I have was 25 dollars or so. I would unplug the UTH if it is not on a tstat yet. Potential for causing a burn. Just make sure the temps stay up in the cage

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[theoremofgoats]

Bought a temp gun, works great. The only thing I'm worried about is the cool side was a little cooler than I thought it would be...but at least now she's moving back and forth between the warm side and the cool side instead of being stubborn on one end.

I picked her up for the first time in a few days today, and she balled up when I reached for her, but immediately uncurled and started moving around when I was actually holding her. She seems to be adjusting all right, so I'm relieved about that.

[SKO]

Yeah that's why a temp gun is key. My girl would ball up before I grabbed her too but she grew out of it. She is getting less head shy too

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